SCRS Accepts Position On Metrics Champion Consortium Board
Metrics Champion Consortium is the First Board Position Accepted by SCRS Due to Natural Fit and Opportunity to Effect Change

ROCKVILLE, Md., Jan. 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Christine Pierre, President of the Society for Clinical Research Sites (SCRS), is pleased to announce that the Society has joined the Board of Directors of the Metrics Champion Consortium (MCC). SCRS is the eleventh member of the MCC Board, a global non-profit organization that develops standardized performance metrics and quality scoring tools for the clinical trials industry.

"We are excited that MCC invited us to join their Board. We accepted because SCRS is committed to contributing in a meaningful way to the discussions that will identify solutions for streamlining the clinical research process, with the site's perspective given consideration. The only way our industry can make much needed improvements is to ensure all stakeholders are involved in the discussions and decisions. Through this Board appointment, SCRS will be in a position to bring the critical perspective of the sites, which has often been missing. We very much look forward to helping MCC reach its ultimate goals," says Pierre.

MCC is an Indiana-based organization whose mission is to help stakeholders improve overall clinical trial development processes through the utilization of MCC standardized performance metrics. The organization has developed a suite of standardized performance metrics and quality scoring tools for use in the central laboratory, imaging, ECG and clinical trial development areas. The MCC also recognizes that in order to bring substantive change to the industry, the next "must-have" is to include the voice of the sites and is currently working on the development of site-generated standardized performance metrics. Guy Mascaro, President of the MCC, explains, "For the last seven years, we have been exceedingly interested in and engaged in helping the industry transform itself. The MCC is the only organization within the industry that brings together sponsor organizations, service providers and sites to work in a collaborative fashion to drive meaningful change. As an organization front and center in the clinical trial process, we felt it was important to reach out to Christine to begin a dialogue to better understand what she was hoping to accomplish with SCRS and see how we could support and collaborate with her efforts."

Mascaro comments further that it wasn't only the concept of SCRS that impressed him, but it was Christine herself, whom he describes as "dynamic and focused." "She'll be able to help the MCC effectively work with sites to be more engaged in the clinical trial development process, which the industry needs if it is going to realize some of the changes it desires. Sites are the third leg of a three-legged stool. With the clinical trial development process so dependent upon the quality of work being conducted by sites, sponsor organizations depend on these partners to help ensure that their product in development is in good hands. This can happen through greater use of metrics, training, and having sites much needed input into the process."

When he presented his idea to the MCC Board, Mascaro said the acceptance of SRCS was unanimous. "I'm thrilled that Christine has joined our Board and we will have the chance to help her organization fulfill its role as we work together toward transforming our industry," Mascaro remarks.

About SCRS

SCRS is the trade association representing the global voice of the clinical research sites. Through the society, sites will become active partners in industry-wide dialogues focused on improving the clinical research enterprise. SCRS has a mission of advocating on behalf of its members, connecting sites and other stakeholders to build a purposeful community, educating sites and the industry to create a foundation for informed action, and mentoring sites to help sustain and build a strong site foundation. Membership in SCRS is open to clinical research sites and companies that sponsor or support the work conducted at sites. Visit www.myscrs.org.